Los Angeles Chargers Players With The Most To Prove, Including Quentin Johnston

The Los Angeles Chargers have one more preseason game on the docket for this weekend against the Dallas Cowboys. Below are some players who just need to push a little harder and they’ll most likely make the roster, while for the others, well, it’s looking bleak.

Easton Stick, Quarterback

Easton Stick had slight improvements this past week coupled with some big mishaps. One of those mishaps happened during the second quarter, on a third-and-goal at the 1-yard line. Stick, while under center, fumbled, and Los Angeles Rams safety Jason Taylor II recovered it, shutting down the Chargers chances at their first preseason touchdown.

Later during that same quarter, Stick had a nice pass to wide receiver Simi Fehoko for a first down and a gain of 22 yards. But a few plays later, Stick’s throw was off, and in trying to grab the catch, Fehoko tipped it into the hands of defensive back Jaylen McCollough .

Stick’s few good moments were canceled out and it looks like he’s solely in competition with Luis Perez for the backup quarterback role now that Max Duggan was waived on Monday.

If Stick can get some sort of offense going without turnovers or big mistakes, maybe that’ll seal the deal. Though, at this point, will we ever believe he’s the right choice?

Related: 4 Los Angeles Chargers Veterans At Risk Of Being Cut

Kimani Vidal, Running Back

Kimani Vidal was the bright spot for the running backs and had 49 rushing yards . He had some great runs immediately in the Chargers first drive of the game and rushed for three straight plays, gaining two first downs.

He also had his fair share of receptions, including one from Perez during the third quarter on a first-and-20, and managed to hold onto the ball despite a big hit from linebacker Eli Neal .

He had four first-downs for the team, the most of any running back or receiver on the Chargers roster. Though the running back room is still crowded, with another game like that, Vidal could be in line for one of the backup roster spots.

Quentin Johnston, Wide Receiver

Quentin Johnston showed what he could do on Saturday night and is on his way to proving the neigh-sayers wrong.

Eric Smith of the Los Angeles Chargers site noted Johnston’s contribution in the first quarter with a “nifty double move”  in which he “nearly hauled in a deep touchdown pass.”

Johnston made a couple of really good receptions courtesy of Perez and demonstrated that contested catch ability that this team has been missing since the departure of Mike Williams .

Perez started to utilize Johnston the second he stepped in for Stick and on his first drive, he immediately let it rip to Johnston for a 19-yard reception. And later during that same quarter, on a third-and-18 Perez threw it deep to Johnston, who claimed the ladder to bring it in. However, his foot was out of bounds thanks to a hit from Taylor II who was in coverage, causing an incomplete.

Johnston has been trying his best to carve out his place on this team, and the second and third wide receiver spots are an open competition that just got more intense between him, Ladd McConkey , and D.J. Chark .

Simi Fehoko, Wide Receiver

Other than the tipped ball during the second quarter resulting in the interception, which wasn’t his fault, Fehoko had a good game on Saturday.

In the first quarter, he had a nice tackle on a kickoff return on running back Boston Scott, resulting in the Rams starting at their own 19.

During the second, he had a nice reception from Stick of 22 yards for a first down. Fehoko has been doing well in camp, making multiple touchdowns and contributing on special teams. He has a history with the Chargers and played for them last year mostly on special teams.

If he can make more things happen on that front while giving some fire to this offense, I do see him squeezing his way onto the roster, depending on how many wide receivers the Los Angeles Chargers choose to keep.

Related: Los Angeles Chargers Defense Shines In High-Pressure Situations

Shane Lee, Linebacker

Shane Lee had a pass breakup during the second quarter on a third-and-6 on a pass intended for tight end Davis Allen . He also recovered a fumble after quarterback Stetson Bennett was taken down by linebacker Shaq Quarterman .

His other big play was the one last week against the Seahawks, where on a fourth-and-1, he and linebacker Nick Niemann completely stonewalled running back George Holani to kill the drive.

The linebacker room got a bit more crowded with the addition of Frank Ginda on Monday, and based on the way that backers like Troy Dye and Niemann have been playing, (I don’t expect Junior Colson to not make the roster given his experience with head coach Jim Harbaugh and defensive coordinator Jesse Minter ), it’s looking a little harder for Lee. We’ll have to see what this week’s practices and game bring to know if it’ll be enough.

Luis Perez, Quarterback

Luis Perez was the only quarterback who really got the offense going on Saturday. Though not a perfect performance, since he did have a fumble when he was sacked on a third-and-5 during the third quarter, and he threw for slightly fewer yards than Stick, he did have 13 completions with zero interceptions.

Perez was taking chances with some of the deep shots he took to Johnston. He’s not as mobile as Stick is, but he’s proving, at least in these game situations. to be more competent. It’s going to be interesting who ultimately ends up as the backup once roster cuts begin.

Zamari Walton, Cornerback

The majority of Walton’s standout moments, good and bad, were in the fourth quarter. Toward the start of Rams second drive of that quarter, he had a pass breakup on wide receiver Xavier Smith on a first-and-10.

He then assisted on a tackle on the next play, also on Smith. He had another pass breakup on Smith on a third-and-4 but got called for pass interference, resulting in a first down.

Then on the final play of that drive, Bennett took a deep shot to wide receiver J.J. Laap , and he beat Walton who was in coverage, resulting in a touchdown. That score sealed the win for the Rams.

The cornerback room has a lot of great talent and Walton hasn’t been playing phenomenally, so unless there’s a big change this week, I don’t see him making this roster.

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